Teaming up with the best partner(s)

I like the clarity that these 3 questions from Gary Vaynerchuk can create. But I think it applies much more broadly than in the start-up investment capital pitch! 

Imagine asking these to a person (or company) who is proposing to deliver a service for your business:

1. Do I believe this a successful business / business model? 
2. Do I believe the person leading the service delivery has the capability to drive the mission of this offering to my organization? 
3. Do I believe this partner is capable of adjusting, or correcting course, if things change (e.g. - rapid growth, legislation, new market entry)? 

Too often we dictate how we want a service delivered and pick the easy option. That might be a small vendor that takes direction easily and is cost effective, a large vendor that has national presence but a generic offering, or a group of vendors that collectively can be effective on a given day (you just don't know which one will come through when).

However these common approaches leave us (the client) having to do a lot of the heavy lifting and ultimately carrying the full burden of the service we outsource without gaining the expertise or initiative that we should expect from the partner.

If you are truly looking for a partner that can be on your team, and help to navigate the changing market and deliver on your objectives, I highly recommend asking these 3 questions that Gary uses. Seek out some data or case studies from the vendors, which give you confidence in your beliefs. Sit down with them and test how well they listen and respond to the "what if" questions. Ask them how they would recommend changing the process if it was their decision, and have them explain why. Perhaps even have them work with you to co-present a solution to your team, and get a sense of how they approach teamwork and honest conversation or feedback.

You may end up with a 1+1 = 3 equation, where the collaboration drives more than you expected from this service or business function. Who knows, it may even underpin a new competitive advantage for your team.

Yes, it will take some time, but we are talking a few weeks or months of interaction. This is a small commitment in contrast to the many hours you will inevitably spend reworking or managing the wrong relationship.

Picture getting it right and having that extension of your team to truly rely on...

How do you feel your results and quality of life would improve?

#TEAMWORKREIMAGINED